Imagine if you found your dream home and went through the entire purchasing process only to realize that you’ve actually moved into a nightmare of a place. Unfortunately, this happens to all too many new homeowners.
It only takes a little bit of negligence during the buying process to lock you into a few major details you didn’t see coming. If you’re not careful, you can end up in a house that has all kinds of foundation issues or plumbing problems.
This is just one reason why getting a professional home inspection is so important.
But, it’s also worth keeping an eye out for red flags yourself as you check out all the different options on the market. Here are 7 signs that the home you’re looking at has plumbing issues you need to be aware of.
1. The House Has Leaky Faucets
A leaky faucet isn’t just annoying to use, it’s a total headache to fix. Typically, there’s a lot more to the problem than the little bit of water you may see dripping in the area under the sink.
There’s no way to tell just how much this repair or will cost – or how deep the problem runs – by looking at the amount of water leaking alone. You have to take a closer look at the issue, and you shouldn’t wait until you’re the home’s new owner to do so.
2. The Faucets Squeak or Rumble
Just as you should check the cabinets under the sinks for leaks, you should also turn the water on at various faucets. This is your chance to listen for anything that sounds out of the ordinary like a high squeak or a weird rumbling sound.
This is not a detail you can afford to overlook. Strange noises coming from the sink can mean a bunch of different things, and you shouldn’t take a gamble on the plumbing issues you may be taking on.
3. There’s a Bad Smell Coming from the Drains
Bad smells are one of the more obvious signs that there are plumbing issues in a property, and one of the harder ones to ignore, too. A “bad smell” can mean a lot of things to different people, but whatever it is that’s turning you off, you can be sure it’s not good.
This typically means there’s something clogged in the drains or that mold has built up. It could also be a sign that dangerous bacteria are present in the water which means you won’t be able to wash food or take a shower until you get this fixed.
4. The Drains Don’t Work As They Should
Another reason to turn on the drains while you’re visiting a real estate listing is to see how long it takes for all the water to go down. If there’s a stall in the draining process or if the water doesn’t drain at all, you should continue your search for a new home.
At the very least, don’t move forward with negotiations until you get a professional to check out the issue. There’s no sense in buying your “dream house” if you have to deal with one problem after another once you move in.
5. There’s Low Water Pressure
The next sign that there are plumbing issues on a property is if there’s low water pressure. This is one of the trickier issues to fix because it could be due to a few different things.
Whatever is causing a faucet to have low water pressure, though, you have to remember it’s the responsibility of the current homeowner to find the solution! Or, this can be a topic to bring up when negotiating a lower sale price.
6. There’s Something Wrong with the Toilet
Even if you don’t have to use the toilet while at a property viewing, at least give it a flush. This will give you a good indication of how well the toilet works. Pay close attention to how quickly it drains and refills, and make note of if the water rises before it goes down.
Also, check whether or not there are leaks around the toilet.
7. There Are Stains on the Walls or Ceiling
The final thing to look for as far as plumbing problems go is water stains on the walls or ceiling of a home. This is a sign that there’s a leak in pipes that you can’t see, or perhaps that one has burst altogether.
Check the walls that surround sinks, toilets, and showers/tubs in the home. Look inside of sink cabinets for water damage and give the first-floor ceilings a glance. If a water stain has nothing to do with plumbing, there’s a chance you’re actually looking at mold which is a much bigger, more dangerous issue.
Stop Your Plumbing Problems Before They Start
It makes no sense to invest in a new home if it comes with a lot of problems. Unless you like the thought of buying a fixer-upper or you’re trying to flip a house for profit, your focus should be on finding a property that’s move-in ready.
One that has a bunch of plumbing problems does not fit the bill.
Even if you only notice a single sign from this list, that should be enough to make you think twice about moving forward. Take the time to call an inspector and have them tell you what’s really going on before you go into a real estate deal blind.
Click here to schedule an inspection today.